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Buchholz takes step toward possible Tuesday return

Buchholz takes step toward possible Tuesday return

6/8/13: Clay Buchholz leaves the game with neck stiffness in the top of the seventh

By Ian Browne
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MLB.com |

DETROIT -- The latest target date for Clay Buchholz to pitch for the Red Sox is on Tuesday night at Fenway Park against the Colorado Rockies.

The right-hander, who is 9-0 in 12 starts, has been dealing with discomfort in his neck and last pitched for Boston on June 9.

"He went out and threw today, out to 100 feet, did some flat ground [work]," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "We're hopeful that he'll get on the mound here in the next day or two. And he'll need to in advance of Tuesday. The ideal scenario would be for him to get an extended bullpen or have some ups and downs in it.

"At this point, we're still scheduled with him on Tuesday, and yet we've got to get through some specific work sessions over the next couple of days to remain consistent with that."

If Buchholz can throw a side session on Saturday, the Red Sox will try to simulate about three innings.

"We're approaching the two-week mark where he hasn't been in a game," Farrell said. "Ideally, he'd get close to three [up and downs], that would be about a 45-pitch bullpen, so that would be the target."

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brownie Points, and follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.